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From fishing village to industrial hub: Kribi’s dramatic transformation
Fifteen years ago, Mboro on the outskirts of Kribi—Cameroon’s southern coastal city—was little more than a sleepy fishing village connected by narrow, unpaved trails. Today, that same stretch of coastline hosts one of Central Africa’s most advanced deep-water ports, while surrounding areas have been reshaped by a thriving industrial and logistics economy.
How Cameroon’s long-awaited deep-water port became reality
Plans for a deep-water port to complement Douala—Cameroon’s primary port in a shallow estuary unable to accommodate large vessels—date back to the 1970s. This decades-old vision finally materialized with the completion of the first and second phases of the Kribi deep-water port.
A city reimagined: infrastructure, opportunity, and progress
Gu Gaobai was among the first Chinese engineers to arrive in 2011 with the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), tasked with building the Kribi port. “We drove along narrow dirt roads to reach the site,” he recalled. “All we saw was a stretch of sand and a few reefs—those were the only landmarks marking where the port would rise.”
Today, the transformation is evident along the access roads. Narrow tracks have been replaced by dual-carriage highways with pedestrian walkways. New buildings, businesses, and public facilities have sprung up as economic activity surged. Local resident Jean-Kalvin Assembe, 50, says the changes have reached every corner of daily life. “I feel happy and fulfilled living in this city,” he said.
Small businesses thrive in Kribi’s expanding economy
Increased employment and business activity have boosted household incomes across the region. “Even small neighborhood shops now have steady customers—it’s brought real, positive change,” Assembe noted.
Kribi now boasts modern apartment complexes, hospitals, universities, and shopping centers. Streetlights illuminate roads that were once pitch-black at night, while the port zone remains brightly lit around the clock.
Truckers benefit from faster, more efficient logistics
Long lines of cargo trucks form daily at the port, a testament to its growing role in regional trade. Veteran driver Yaya Aboubakar, 68, has traveled across four Central African countries. “Kribi has made our work easier,” he said. “The service is fast, and we’ve discovered new opportunities in the region.”
Gu Gaobai added, “Many clients and experts familiar with China often compare Kribi to Shenzhen—a city of the future right here in Cameroon.”
Kribi port: catalyst for industrial growth and regional trade
As the port expanded, so did its industrial zone. Patrick Mpila Ayissi, infrastructure lead for the Kribi port industrial zone, reported rapid investment growth since operations began in 2018. “Industrial operators have invested nearly 400 billion CFA francs (about $700 million), with 93 land-use permits issued and 18 companies already operational,” he said.
The zone’s ambition has scaled from an initial 455-hectare logistics hub to a 4,000-hectare integrated industrial area. Ayissi projects the zone will attract $900 million in investments and create 50,000 direct jobs, with up to 150,000 total jobs over the next 15 years. The port has also become a strategic gateway for Central Africa, serving markets in neighboring countries.
“Container traffic has quadrupled since 2018, exceeding 555,000 TEUs in 2025, while total cargo volume surpassed 12.7 million tons in 2024,” Ayissi noted. Trade already flows from Kribi to Gabon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea, with shipping giants like MSC strengthening regional connectivity.
To support this growth, CHEC built the Kribi-Lolabé road, connecting the deep-water port to major cities nationwide. “This road facilitates movement and goods transport, accelerating Cameroon’s industrialization,” said Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, Cameroon’s Minister of Public Works.
Skills and careers transformed by the port’s development
Port-related growth has also reshaped local careers. Ngatugirius Ndenya left his welding job in Yaoundé in 2013 to join CHEC in Kribi. “Early days were tough,” said the 53-year-old. CHEC’s approach paired Cameroonian workers with experienced Chinese colleagues, enabling hands-on skill development.
“Before coming here, I was just a platform welder. Now, I can handle all welding tasks,” Ndenya explained. “Young workers who arrived untrained now have technical expertise.”
For some, the port transformed lives entirely. Armand Guehoada arrived with almost nothing. “I left a job paying 100,000 CFA francs a month,” he recalled. “Now, I’ve bought three vehicles and can fully support my family.”
Gu Gaobai emphasized, “Over the past 15 years, we’ve trained countless local professionals in port construction and large-scale engineering. Many now contribute to the development of the neighboring industrial zone.”
Kribi port: a lasting symbol of Cameroon-China partnership
This year marks both the 55th anniversary of Cameroon-China diplomatic relations and the 15th anniversary of construction at the Kribi deep-water port. Patrick Mpila Ayissi called it “a visible symbol of long-term cooperation,” built on concessional financing from Chinese institutions.
Patrice Melom, CEO of the Kribi Port Authority, sees a promising future. “The port’s concrete results and positive outlook demand we channel all efforts into making this infrastructure a sustainable engine for national prosperity and regional integration,” he said.
